Tool to support people with a learning disability access urgent and emergency care

The RCN Foundation commissioned a quality improvement project to improve access to urgent and emergency care in times of ill health. 

Researchers from Keele University, North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, Swansea Bay University Health Board, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, NHS Grampian, and independent advisor consultant nurse Gwen Moulster OBE, were awarded funding for a research project to support people with learning disabilities. 

UCAN 

The UCAN (Urgent Care Access Now) study commenced in August 2024 and was led by Dale Nixon, Learning Disability Nurse (RNLD) from the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Keele. Central to the study was the lived experience of people with a learning disability and in particular, the evaluation of their experience when having recently accessed urgent and emergency care. These findings were instrumental in supporting the co-development of the careLeD tool.   

careLeD

The careLed tool includes interactive content and educational resources to help those with a learning disability more easily access urgent and emergency care and whilst the careLeD tool is primarily aimed at people with a learning disability who live independently, it will also be helpful to those living with family, carers or in health and social care or educational settings.   

The tool aims to encourage people with a learning disability to prepare for when they or someone they are with needs to access care. It covers urgent and emergency care, as well as offering resources, help and support for people with a learning disability. 

The tool is also aimed at those who support people with a learning disability including advocacy groups, health and social care professionals and education professionals, to raise awareness about the difficulties people with learning disability may face when accessing urgent and emergency care and how access can be made easier. 

Launch 

On 1 July 2025, the tool was launched at an online event hosted by Keele University and chaired by Professor Naomi Shiner. Actor Tommy Jessop was the keynote speaker, with Gwen Moulster OBE introducing the tool. 

Learn more about the study and access the tool here. 

Project lead, and lecturer in Learning Disability Nursing at Keele University, Dale Nixon said: “We hope this tool is valuable to help people with a learning disability prepare in advance for when they might need to access urgent or emergency care. We know from our research that accessing care can be challenging when you are unwell. From knowing who to call, to being able to communicate specific needs, participants explained that they could not always access the care they needed when they required it. Our group of co-producers were very clear about what is needed to help make things easier." 

Deepa Korea, RCN Foundation Director said: "We are incredibly pleased to see the launch of the careLeD tool. The UCAN project spoke to people with lived experience from across the UK and listened to their experiences and asked them what they need. It has been a true collaborative effort throughout the project. At a time when NHS resources are stretched, we hope the new tool will provide a much-needed resource to support people with a learning disability in accessing urgent and emergency care."